Q1 · hard · PYQ 2026
S1: William I had the land mapped, and distributed it in sections to one hundred eighty Norman nobles who had migrated with him to Britain. S6: Thus, Anglo-Saxon peasants became tenants of various levels of landholders. P: They could not, however, use their knights for private warfare, which was forbidden in England. Q: They soon began to gift some of their own lands to knights who would serve them just as they in turn served the king. R: They were obliged to supply a certain number of knights to the king. S: These noble lords became the chief tenants of the king and were expected to give him military help.
- PRQS
- PSQR
- SQRP
- SRQP
Q2 · medium · PYQ 2026
S1: People fall down from staircases in different ways in different countries. S6: This is because for the Americans, their home is usually the only place where they regularly use the stairs. P: They rely, instead, on the ease and safety of lifts and escalators which are ubiquitous in such places. Q: This is not because the Japanese are more reckless staircase users, but simply because Americans don't much use the stairs in public places. R: Staircase injuries, therefore, happen mostly in the home. S: For instance, someone in Japan is far more likely to be hurt in a staircase fall in an office, department store or railway station than is anyone in the United States.
- QPRS
- SPQR
- SQRP
- SQPR
Q3 · medium · PYQ 2026
S1: The word science originates from the Latin verb Scientia meaning "to know". S6: By the middle of the twentieth century, science had become a truly international enterprise, with many cultures and countries contributing to its rapid growth. P: Science, in a broad sense, is as old as the human species. Q: From the sixteenth century onwards, great strides were also made in science in Europe. R: The early civilisations of Egypt, India, China, Greece, Mesopotamia and many others made vital contributions to its progress. S: The Sanskrit word Vijñāna and the Arabic word Ilm convey a similar meaning, namely knowledge.
- QPRS
- SPRQ
- SQRP
- SQPR
Q4 · hard · PYQ 2026
S1: Among the momentous watersheds through which human beings have passed since their appearance over 100,000 years ago, none has been more profound in its consequences than the shift to agriculture. S6: Unfortunately, such transformations disrupted delicate natural balances as humans sought enhanced control over their new modes of subsistence. P: They did this by purposefully transforming landscapes with their agricultural fields and pastures. Q: They lived much like the way in which their own hominid predecessors had lived for millions of years, as integral components of the Earth's ecosystems. R: However, with the invention of practices of agriculture, these new farmers and herders began manipulating their surroundings to an unprecedented degree. S: Before that, for countless generations, nearly all humans had lived as hunters and gatherers, dwelling together in small, stable, nomadic bands that operated in close harmony with nature.
- RPQS
- PRQS
- RQSP
- SQRP
Q5 · medium · PYQ 2024
S1: Nano Mission Programme was initiated in 2007.
S6: The efforts of this mission are evident through India's global ranking based on the publications in SCI journals.
P: The Nano Mission is likely to pave the path for India's domination in cutting-edge science.
Q: Its goal is to foster, promote and develop all aspects of nanoscience and nanotechnology.
R: This is an umbrella programme which promotes basic research and focuses on nanotechnology adaptation and transfer to industry for use by masses.
S: The support under this extends to create skilled human resources, projects related to nanoscience and nanotechnology and building infrastructure of nano S&T labs at several institutes spread across the country.
The correct sequence should be
- PSRQ
- QRPS
- RPQS
- SPRQ